Nashville Voters Sent a Clear Message

Nashville Voters Sent a Clear Message

Nashville, September 25 2015

Today mayor-elect Megan Barry and the new Metro Council will take the oath of office. As they do, it is important to remember a few things.

On August 6th, 56,973 Metro voters supported “Local Hire”, nearly 58% of the electorate. Megan Barry, a progressive candidate who stood for working families, emerged from a crowded field as the top vote getter for Mayor, and 12 CLC endorsed district candidates were elected in contested elections.

Vice Mayor David Briley, who has a known history of being an advocate for the working people of Nashville, won by over 5,000 votes.

Given a clear cut choice in the runoff election on September 10, the voters of Nashville again spoke loudly by delivering Barry a decisive 10 point victory, a margin of over 10,000 votes.

Additionally, all of the newly elected at-large members of the council support raising the minimum wage (Nashville Public Radio, 8/21), and five more CLC endorsed district candidates who understand the need for shared prosperity were victorious.

Voters understand that in order for Nashville to sustain its growth, all of the residents must benefit. Wages must increase with the cost of living, and the good jobs created by the growth must be made available to the working people of Nashville, not outsourced to bolster the bottom line for corporate CEOs. Of all the storylines that emerged from the election, one theme dominated the results:

The voters sent a clear message: We support Nashville working families.